Suspected Houston drunken driver back in jail after judge raises bail

Brian RogersJanuary 23, 2019

A suspected drunken driver is back behind bars because a Houston judge raised his bail from $5,000 to $40,000 after hearing that a five-year-old girl injured in weekend a crash may die from her injuries.

“Giselle is fighting for her life and it doesn’t look good,” prosecutor Sean Teare said after the brief hearing. “It’s an absolute tragedy.”

In court, Teare asked that 34-year-old Israel Suerez Lugo be held in lieu of $80,000 bail and told state District Judge Maria Jackson that the girl may be brain-dead as a result of the crash.

Lugo’s defense lawyer said his client is a Houston resident and is not a flight risk or a danger to the community. Lugo works as a project manager for an oilfield service company.

“He’s not an alcoholic or someone who is out of control,” said attorney Clay Conrad.

Lugo is facing two charges of intoxication assault and could face a charge of intoxication manslaughter after a two-car wreck in the Greater East End that injured four people, including the young girl Sunday.

The prosecutor said Lugo has admitted to drinking 12 Michelob Ultra beers at a bar and was heading to his brother’s home to drink more when the wreck took place.

If Lugo makes the bail, the judge said, he will be barred from driving or drinking and will have to wear an alcohol detecting ankle monitor.

While the three older victims were not seriously injured in the Sunday morning wreck, the child received traumatic brain injuries and was rushed into surgery. Family members, who have said they fear the girl may soon die, were in the courtroom but declined to comment on the hearing.